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Highlights:
- After Liz Truss' resignation, the UK is set to get the third PM this year by the end of October.
- Voting to choose the Conservative leader and a new PM is set to be conducted within a week.
In a dramatic turn of events on Thursday, Liz Truss announced that she is stepping down as the prime minister of the United Kingdom, becoming the shortest-serving PM of the country. Truss was chosen for the top job in September, and after her disastrous mini-budget, she was under pressure to resign.
Speaking outside Number 10 on Thursday, she said she cannot deliver the mandate on which she was elected, and there will be an election within a week to choose her successor.
The leadership race is on again, and the UK will see its third prime minister within a year soon.
Several names are in the leadership race, and the situation is similar to what it was about three months ago. However, Truss' actions have put additional pressure on whoever takes up the job next to repair the damage done to the economy during her short tenure.
Image source: © Andreypopov | Megapixl.com
But who could become the next UK prime minister? Several names are on the list, and here are the top three.
Rishi Sunak
Sunak served as the Chancellor of the Exchequer under previous PM Boris Johnson, and his resignation was among the key factors that led to Johnson's downfall. He was one of the favourites in the leadership race but was defeated by Liz Truss in the final round. At present, Suank is the top contender for the job and remains the bookmaker's favourite. It may be recalled that earlier this year, Suank had warned of the consequences in the financial markets if Truss went ahead with her tax cuts. According to reports, Sunak has more than a 55% chance of winning the race, far ahead of his competitors. However, Conservative lawmakers who remain loyal to Johnson may not support Sunak.
Boris Johnson
It may sound a little unrealistic, but there's a moderate chance that Boris Johnson may come back as the UK PM. As per reports, Johnson has been urging Conservative Party members to back him for the job. Johnson also reportedly scrambled home from his Caribbean holiday after Truss' resignation, apparently seeking to reclaim the keys to Number 10. While Johnson may not have as much support as Sunak, considering the fact that more than 50 MPs resigned during his tenure, eventually forcing him to step down, he is still among the probable contenders for the 57th UK PM.
Penny Mordaunt
Penny Mordaunt was also in the leadership race after Johnson's resignation. However, she was shown out in the initial stages. But after Truss' resignation, she may still have a chance, and she's now on the list of favourites. It can be argued that she is not a household name, but she may seek to change that. Recently, her visibility received some boost after she stood in for Truss in the parliament and handled hostile questions after the dismantling of the economic program.
